How To Care For Tape-In Hair Extensions: Guidelines And Tips

You already have new tape-in hair extensions, and now it’s time you want to know tape in extensions care tips to prolong their lifespan. An important note is that your hair extensions can last months if you have a proper hair care routine and special hair care products. So, our how to take care of tape in extensions guidelines will contain important recommendations for you to maintain the softness and smoothness of your hair. Remember to read until the end if you want to get some useful tips during the caring process.

How To Care For Tape In Extensions

1. Wash and Condition your Extensions Correctly

When you’re ready to shampoo your hair, make sure you’re only shampooing your roots and not your extensions. Our tape in extensions care tips are don’t get your tape-ins wet and soaked because they’ll come out. To avoid this, put your head under the shower and use your fingers to massage your scalp.

Avoid washing your tape-in sections
Avoid washing your tape-in sections

Note: To wash your hair with tape-in extensions properly, use silicon-free shampoo and conditioner. Please avoid using silicone products, as they are difficult to wash out completely and can hinder the bonding of extensions with your natural hair.

It is recommended to wash your hair with tape-in extensions every 3-4 days or as needed. Washing too frequently can weaken the adhesive and cause the extensions to slip out prematurely. When washing, gently massage the scalp and the ends of the hair, avoiding scrubbing the tape-in sections.

You don’t need to wash your extensions too frequently, as they may dry after many washes
You don’t need to wash your extensions too frequently, as they may dry after many washes

2. Brushing and Detangling Your Extensions Gently

  • Do: When the extensions are attached to your natural hair, hold the top of your hair and brush them gently to avoid pulling out the extensions from your natural hair.
  • Don’t: don’t over-brush your hair, as this can loosen the tape-in on your real hair and work the extensions out way before they’re meant to start falling out
Gently brush to avoid pulling out the extensions from your natural hair
Gently brush to avoid pulling out the extensions from your natural hair

3. Drying and Styling with Care

Let your hair air dry and avoid using a hairdryer if possible, as excessive heat on hair extensions will reduce their lifespan. High-heat styling can easily damage your extensions, so remember to use a thermal therapy spray when styling with heat appliances or use them in a low to medium heat setting.

Note: Avoid applying heat directly to the tape-ins to prevent them from melting or becoming distorted.

Using excessive heat on hair extensions will reduce their lifespan
Using excessive heat on hair extensions will reduce their lifespan

4. Braid Hair and Use Silk Pillowcases While Sleeping

Braid your hair or tie it up in a low ponytail are the perfect options for you when sleeping. Moreover, using a silk or satin pillowcase also creates less friction against your hair and extensions and reduces the risk of tangles and damage. How to look after tape in extensions while sleeping is crucial, as are other steps like washing or moisturizing, so don’t miss out on any of our guidelines.

Braiding before sleeping and using silk or satin pillowcase
Braiding before sleeping and using silk or satin pillowcase

5. Maintenance and Re-taping on A Schedule

Your tape-ins should be applied by hair professionals, and you need to schedule regular maintenance appointments with your stylist every 6-8 weeks to have the tapes repositioned or replaced as needed.

Note: Avoid re-taping the extensions yourself, as improper application can damage your natural hair and compromise the longevity of the extensions.

How to Maintain Tape In Hair Extensions? 5 Important Notes

  • Your hair care routine will affect your extension’s longevity:

With no care, your extensions can last a few weeks, but with proper care, you can maintain tape in hair extensions for 9-12 months, even a few years. Your hair extensions’ lifespan also depends on the hair care products and the quality of the hair extensions. Try to use products that contain moisture for the hair and the best quality tape-in hair extensions.

  • Color on hair extensions is not recommended

It’s not advisable to dye or bleach the hair, as these processes can significantly reduce its lifespan. Especially, toners can harm the hair’s cuticle, and your hair will dry and brittle over time.

  • Be cautious when using hair accessories

Exercise caution with hair accessories like clips or headbands, if applied too tightly, can loosen the tapes and potentially cause damage. So, be careful when using accessories to avoid any harm.

Apply too many accessories can put pressure on the tapes and cause them to loosen
Apply too many accessories can put pressure on the tapes and cause them to loosen
  • Contact your stylist if you have any problems

If you experience any discomfort or irritation from the tapes, consult your stylist immediately to address any issues and prevent further damage to your hair and scalp.

If you experience any discomfort from the tapes, consult your stylist
If you experience any discomfort from the tapes, consult your stylist
  • Don’t wash tape-in hair extensions too much

The scalp naturally produces oils to keep the hair and scalp moisturized and healthy, so the extensions do not have a direct source of natural oils as the scalp does. Therefore, washing extensions frequently results in the loss of shine and vibrancy.

Above is our basic note to maintain tape in hair extensions. We will show you more haircare for tape-in hair extensions in our guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The following FAQs are the common questions and issues that tape-in users frequently meet and you may meet in the future. However, you don’t need to worry anymore, as we will answer them for you.

Which products should I use for tape-in hair extensions?

Our top recommendation is TRESemmé Pro Pure Leave-In Conditioner. It keeps your extensions soft and smooth right after you get out of the shower. The second product we suggest is Ouai Hair Oil. Apply it to the ends of your hair after braiding it before bed. You definitely think, “Oh dear, dried ends”, as it prevents dryness and keeps your ends hydrated.

Using hydrated products to prevent your extensions from dryness
Using hydrated products to prevent your extensions from dryness

How much does it cost to maintain tape-in extensions?

Maintenance costs vary and depend on the salon you choose, and the products you use, but you can expect to spend between $100 and $300 every 6-8 weeks for professional reinstallation and adjustments.

Can I swim or exercise with tape-in extensions?

We do not recommend you swim with tape-ins, especially with salt water, since it can discolor your extensions. In case, you want to swim, apply a hair mask before swimming to add an extra layer of protection.

How can I reuse tape-in extensions?

After removing the extensions, they should be thoroughly cleaned to remove any residue from the adhesive. After that, new adhesive strips can be applied to the extensions, and you can reattach them to your natural hair.

Clean tape-in extensions before reusing them
Clean tape-in extensions before reusing them

Conclusion

Even the best premium hair also needs a proper hair care routine to keep it healthy and smooth. If you follow carefully every step in our guidelines, we make sure that you can prolong your extensions’s lifespan for many years.

Beyond the haircare for tape-in hair extensions, the quality of tape-in is one of the key factors deciding their lifespan, so it is recommended that you use 100% human raw hair from Apohair. Our extensions can last many years with a proper hair care routine and using special hair-care products. As one of the most reliable wholesale hair vendors and the biggest Vietnamese hair factory, we stand out in the hair market for not only hair quality but also the ability to offer a wide range of products like normal tape-in, invisible tape-in, long tape, etc. So, don’t hesitate to contact us via Apohair’s website or our WhatsApp to experience the best tape-in extensions in the market.

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